An Unexpected Start

Introduction

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

How did 2022 work out for you? New years resolutions? I like to make lists.

Sometimes He does something unexpected and He turns your life upside down. It can feel uncomfortable, scary even, but His movements are for our good and the good of the Gospel.

An unexpected start for 2nd missionary journey. Planned to circle back through Asia to continue preaching in familiar territory.

BUT Jesus has other ideas… This sudden change of direction, sent Paul and the Gospel into Europe for the first time and to our Church in Philippi - and to three encounters where lives were transformed and a new Church was born.

Like Paul, are we prepared to have our lives turned upside down by the will of God? As we start to 2023 will we ask the question “What is God’s Will For Us?”

1. Finding Acceptance

Finding Lydia

Paul goes looking for a synagogue but there isn’t one.

Instead he finds a group of women gathering to worship; God-fearers.

Lydia, from Thyatira, sells purple cloth, wealthy, educated, and likely the head of her household.

What happens? Surely someone of her prominence would have no interest in the Gospel?

NO, quite the opposite. Acts 16:14 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

Expected or Unexpected? An unexpected detour leads to unexpected encounter, and the result is an entire household baptised.

Gospel Pull: She found love and acceptance from God in a way she had never known before. The Gospel was for HER. God opened HER heart. She likely became the first elder of the Church in Philippi as the Church began to meet in her home.

My heart for all of us is that, like Lydia, we would know God’s love and understand our special place in His heart.

2. Finding Freedom

Paul’s next encounter is with a young slave girl who is able to see the future.

This Spirit actually confirms Paul and Silas’ mission: Acts 16:17 “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.””

But Paul gets fed up: Acts 16:18 “Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.”

Expected or unexpected? A spirit finds Paul and Silas in the city and rather than opposing them can only cry out and affirm them. Paul then casts out the spirit, further showing Jesus as the “Most High God.”

Gospel Pull: Freedom from slavery. The girl had been used and and abused by a group of men.

She is set free from the spirit, and her former life, and finds freedom in Christ.

For some of us, as we begin 2023, it is a time to evaluate who or what we find ourselves enslaved to.

Habits, addictions?

People - bad relationships where we are used by others.

God, I believe, wants you to pray about some of these relationships. It’s time to draw up new boundaries and ensure you aren’t being used by others.

God wants us to be free, and we find that freedom in Christ.

3. Finding Strength

Paul and Silas find themselves in hot water after the slave girl is freed from the spirit.

Her slave owners ‘saw that their hope of gain was gone’ and had Paul and Silas brought before the magistrates and had them beaten and imprisoned: Acts 16:23-24 “And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

So how do Paul and Silas respond to this unexpected situation? Acts 16:25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” SINGING!

Expected or unexpected? Singing in prison? Feet fastened in stocks?

BUT, an earthquake comes and the doors to the prison are opened.

And so what do Paul and Silas do? They stick around!

Expected or unexpected? A prison door is opened, what do you do?

This is where we meet our third character, the Jailor - a man of strength, loves power, but who comes face to face with failure

He sees the doors are open and prepares to kill himself before he is killed for his failures.

This strong man is astonished and falls at the bruised feet of Paul and Silas saying to them “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Expected or unexpected? A prison guard falls at the feet of the prisoners he is responsible for keeping in chains...

Gospel Pull: Why does he fall down? He has never seen anything like Paul and Silas - Christians.

They are certain of who they are, and trust God with their lives - he cannot say the same. They are ironic conquerors.

For some of you I pray 2023 will be the year of discovering the true strength that comes from being a Christian. From having the security in Christ needed to be bold like Paul and Silas.

Paul says these words from prison as he waits to hear whether he will live or die:

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

May we all grasp the strength of God to live for Him, speak for Him, and even die for Him, if called to, in this broken world. For the sake of the Gospel.

For those of us who don’t know Him yet I pray we would be like the Jailor here and receive these words: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”

What is God’s Will For Us?

Three people, a new Church, all from a visit lasting just a few days.

All beginning unexpectedly, and through Paul hearing the call of God.

If you’re looking for adventure in 2023, then God would encourage you to make the time to listen to His voice and ask ‘What is God’s Will For Us?’

As a Church, as and individual, what is God’s will for us?

Find some silence

Notice repeated messages

Ask for prayer

Read His Word, Scripture, to see what He has asked of people before

Take the time to consider and make His plans your plans. Young or old, or anywhere in between, God wants our attention and has a plan for our lives.

Conclusion

The will of God means death to our own will, and resurrection only when we have died to all our own plans.

Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson

Pray Like...

Lydia - That God would show you His love and acceptance

The ‘Slave’ Girl - That God would help you break free

The Jailor - That you would know the ‘real’ strength of God

Pray That...

God would help each of us at Canterbury Baptist Church to know the will of God as we begin 2023